Performance Over Bias: The Experiences of a Chinese Immigrant Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Understanding Immigrant Students and Educators' Transnational Experiences

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged educators, parents, and students worldwide to adapt to online learning. The pandemic also significantly impacted Chinese immigrant families living in the U.S. with increased anti-Asian acts of racism and xenophobia. Thus, a case study investigated a Chinese immigrant family’s experiences transitioning to online learning in a climate of anti-Chinese rhetoric in the U.S. Narrative interviews were conducted and analyzed using the constant comparison method and content analysis. The findings indicated the challenges engaging students in online learning that impacted their interactions with classmates and their learning experiences and revealed the family’s coping mechanisms to deal with anti-Asian discrimination and prejudice against Chinese immigrants grounded in their Chinese culture and parental involvement styles.

Authors

• Clarisse Halpern, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Jingshun Zhang, Florida Gulf Coast University